Alpha Park Public Library
🏢 Alpha Park Public Library District · Bartonville, Illinois
Alpha Park Public Library
Just south of Peoria across the Illinois River, Alpha Park Public Library has evolved from a neighborhood branch into a nationally recognized community hub — home to an award-winning Brain Center, an expansive Library of Things, and a podcast series that chronicles the forgotten history of the Peoria State Hospital in Bartonville itself.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–6pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 3527 SOUTH AIRPORT ROAD, BARTONVILLE, IL 61607
Phone: +1309-697-3822
Website: alphapark.org
Plus Code: 86GGJ8W9+9R (BARTONVILLE, IL)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Alpha Park Public Library
Alpha Park Public Library District has served the village of Bartonville and surrounding Peoria County neighborhoods since its founding. Located at 3527 South Airport Road, the library draws from a community whose history is deeply intertwined with the Peoria State Hospital — the pioneering psychiatric facility that once occupied land nearby and operated from 1902 until its closure in 1973. In 2022, the library won the prestigious RUSA Stephen T. Riedner Grant for Life Enhancing Library Programs, using the award to establish the Brain Center: a dedicated area with books, robotic therapy pets, puzzles, and caregiver guides for patrons living with Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. The library's Library of Things collection — one of the most diverse in the region — lets cardholders check out Wi-Fi hotspots, cameras, laptops, tablets, yard games, video games, and even an emergency jump starter. Alpha Park also produced "Stories from the Bowen Building," a podcast on the history of the Peoria State Hospital, funded through an ALA/NEH American Rescue Plan humanities grant.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Brain Center (est. 2022) — 2022 RUSA Stephen T. Riedner Grant winner: books, robotic therapy pets, puzzles, and caregiver guides for cognitive and neurological conditions
- Library of Things: borrow Wi-Fi hotspots, laptops, tablets, cameras, board games, yard games, video games, and a 4-in-1 emergency jump starter
- "Stories from the Bowen Building" podcast — ALA/NEH-funded oral history series on the Peoria State Hospital, featuring local historians and former staff
- Seed Library and Hoopla streaming included with every free Alpha Park library card
- Generous evening hours (Mon–Thu until 8 pm) and Saturday access (9 am–5 pm)
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Alpha Park cardholders can access digital books, databases, and streaming free through Illinois statewide programs:
📚 Services
- Library of Things: Wi-Fi hotspots, laptops, tablets, cameras, board games, yard games, video games, emergency jump starter
- Brain Center: resources for cognitive and neurological conditions (all welcome)
- Seed Library: borrow vegetable and flower seeds
- Meeting and study room reservations
- Public computer terminals and free Wi-Fi
- Print, copy, and scan services
- Genealogy research databases via IRIS
- Talking Books & Braille Service referrals for Illinois residents
- Media literacy and home learning resources
🎸 Programs
- 2026 Reading Challenge for adults
- Book clubs and reader's advisory
- Peoria State Hospital Collection (local history archive)
- "Stories from the Bowen Building" podcast series
- Youth story times and early literacy programs
- Caretakers' support group (Brain Center programming)
- Community events calendar (alphapark.org)
📍 Nearby Libraries in the Peoria Area
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in BARTONVILLE · Browse all Illinois libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Brain Center, and who can use it?
The Brain Center is a dedicated area within Alpha Park Public Library — funded by the 2022 RUSA Stephen T. Riedner Grant for Life Enhancing Library Programs — that offers books, robotic therapy pets, puzzles, games, and caregiver guides designed for people living with Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurodivergent conditions. However, any patron is welcome to use and borrow materials from the Brain Center. For more information, contact the Outreach Department at (309) 697-3822 ext. 25.
What can I borrow from the Library of Things?
Alpha Park's Library of Things includes Wi-Fi hotspots, laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, board games, yard games, video games, a D30 Bluetooth label printer, and a JackPak 4-in-1 emergency jump starter. Borrowers must be at least 18, hold a valid Alpha Park card, and present a photo ID. Electronic devices must be returned in person to staff inside the library (not the drop box) to avoid a $25 fine. Late fees of up to $5 per day apply.
What is the Peoria State Hospital Podcast, and where can I listen?
"Stories from the Bowen Building" is an audio series produced by Alpha Park Public Library that examines the history of the Peoria State Hospital, which operated in Bartonville from 1902 to 1973. The podcast features interviews with historians, museum directors, and former hospital staff and was funded through an American Rescue Plan humanities grant from ALA and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Episodes are available through the library's website at alphapark.org, and the library maintains a physical Peoria State Hospital Collection for in-depth research.
Does Alpha Park offer services for seniors or people with disabilities?
Yes. In addition to the Brain Center, the library offers referrals to the Illinois Talking Books and Braille Service, which mails audio and braille materials directly to Illinois residents who cannot easily read standard print. The library's caretakers' support group provides community for those caring for loved ones with cognitive conditions. Call (309) 697-3822 for more information or to schedule a caregiver consultation.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
🌱 This library has a seed library. See how library seed libraries work — borrow free seeds, grow them, and save some to return — and find other libraries with a seed library seed libraries by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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